GMC Sierra 1500 Oil Capacity & Oil Type
TL;DR
Most 2014-and-newer Sierra 1500 V8s (5.3L, 6.2L) hold 8.0 qt (7.6 L) of 0W-20; older 2007-2013 4.8L/5.3L V8s hold 6.0 qt (5.7 L) of 5W-30 - check your engine code before buying oil.
Why the capacity number changes by engine
The GMC Sierra 1500 has been built in three major generations (GMT900 2007-2013, K2XX 2014-2018, T1XX 2019-present), and GM changed the oil pan and filter design more than once along the way. A figure that is correct for a 2012 5.3L truck is not correct for a 2018 5.3L truck, even though both are called (5.3L V8) - the pan casting and recommended oil grade changed with the engine generation. Always match the capacity to the actual engine code stamped on the block or listed on the underhood emissions label, not just the displacement.
Capacity and viscosity by engine code
| Engine code / years | Capacity with filter (L / US qt) | Viscosity |
|---|---|---|
| 4.8L V8 (LY2 / L20) - 2007-2013 | 5.7 L / 6.0 qt | SAE 5W-30 |
| 5.3L V8 (LMG / LY5 / LC9 / LMF) - 2007-2013 | 5.7 L / 6.0 qt | SAE 5W-30 |
| 6.2L V8 (L94 / L9H) - 2007-2013 | 5.7-7.6 L / 6.0-8.0 qt (sources vary) | SAE 5W-30 |
| 4.3L V6 (LV3) - 2014-2018 | 5.7 L / 6.0 qt | dexos1 5W-30 |
| 5.3L V8 (L83) - 2014-2018 | 7.6 L / 8.0 qt | dexos1 0W-20 |
| 6.2L V8 (L86) - 2014-2018 | 7.6 L / 8.0 qt | dexos1 0W-20 |
| 2.7L Turbo I4 (L3B) - 2019-2020 | 5.7 L / 6.0 qt | dexos1 5W-30 |
| 5.3L V8 (L82 / L84) - 2019-present | 7.6 L / 8.0 qt | dexos1 0W-20 |
| 6.2L V8 (L87) - 2019-present | 7.6 L / 8.0 qt | dexos1 0W-20 |
| 3.0L Duramax diesel (LM2 / LZ0) - 2020-present | 6.6 L / 7.0 qt | dexosD 0W-20 |
Where to get the number for your exact truck
The dash-mounted oil life monitor, printed owner's manual, and the emissions/certification label under the hood all list the exact oil grade and capacity for the engine actually installed in your truck. The engine RPO code (a three-character code like L83, L84, L86, or L87) can be found on that emissions label or in the glovebox build-sheet, and it is the fastest way to confirm you are reading the right row above.
A note on the 6.2L GMT900 discrepancy
Reputable oil-lookup tools and forum service records disagree on the 2007-2013 6.2L (L94/L9H) capacity - some list 6.0 quarts, others list 8.0 quarts with the larger filter. Until we can confirm which running changes apply to your build year, check your underhood label or dipstick fill-to-full amount rather than relying on either number blindly.
Summary
| 5.3L V8 (L83, 2014-2018) | 8.0 qt / 7.6 L, 0W-20 |
|---|---|
| 5.3L V8 (L82/L84, 2019+) | 8.0 qt / 7.6 L, 0W-20 |
| 6.2L V8 (L86/L87, 2014+) | 8.0 qt / 7.6 L, 0W-20 |
| 4.8L/5.3L V8 (2007-2013) | 6.0 qt / 5.7 L, 5W-30 |
| 4.3L V6 (LV3, 2014-2018) | 6.0 qt / 5.7 L, 5W-30 |
| 2.7L Turbo (L3B, 2019-2020) | 6.0 qt / 5.7 L, 5W-30 |
| 3.0L Duramax diesel (LM2/LZ0) | 7.0 qt / 6.6 L, 0W-20 dexosD |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see GMC Sierra 1500: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
How many quarts of oil does a GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L take?
For the 2014-and-newer 5.3L V8 (engine codes L83, L82, or L84), it is 8.0 US quarts (7.6 liters) with the filter changed, using 0W-20 synthetic oil. The older 2007-2013 5.3L V8s (LMG, LY5, LC9, LMF) take less - 6.0 quarts (5.7 liters) of 5W-30 - so check which generation and engine code your truck has before buying oil.
Does the GMC Sierra 1500 need synthetic oil?
Yes for 2011-and-newer models. GM specifies dexos1-licensed synthetic oil (0W-20 for most gas V8s built 2014+, 5W-30 for the 4.3L V6 and 2.7L turbo four) as the factory fill and required spec; using a non-approved oil can affect engine protection and warranty coverage.
Where can I find the exact oil capacity for my specific Sierra 1500?
Check the emissions/certification label under the hood (it lists the engine RPO code), your printed owner's manual, or the oil-fill reference sticker near the oil cap - these are specific to the exact engine actually installed in your truck and are more reliable than a general lookup by model year alone.
Is the 6.2L Sierra 1500 oil capacity 6 quarts or 8 quarts?
It depends on generation: 2014-present 6.2L V8s (L86, L87) reliably take 8.0 quarts (7.6 liters) per multiple manufacturer-aligned sources. For the earlier 2007-2013 6.2L (L94/L9H), sources disagree between 6.0 and 8.0 quarts, so confirm with your dipstick fill level or dealer service data before topping off.